Mesoscopic simulation of road networks with time biasing of signalized intersections

Abstract

Turn signals are important components of a road network for controlling traffic across intersections. Here, we investigate the effect of modifying the timing of turn signals based on vehicular traffic through mesoscopic simulation. We use the point-queue model with adjustable signal actuators implemented through the Open Traffic Models (OTM) simulator, applied to two sample road networks. We observe the effects of varying the signal timing as represented by a timing bias parameter that is consistent with microscopic traffic simulation. Such approach in simulation and signal adjustments may allow us to perform city-scale simulations of road networks with signals such as that of Metro Manila.